Lakers list Kobe Bryant and Jordan Clarkson as questionable for Friday against Hawks
Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) in the first half against the Denver Nuggets on March 2.
The Lakers are listing Kobe Bryant and Jordan Clarkson as questionable for Friday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center.
Bryant started against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, but didn’t play in the second half because his sore right shoulder began to bother him again.
Clarkson left after playing 22 minutes at Denver because of a strained tendon in his left knee.
But the Lakers said the second-year guard got therapy at the team’s practice facility Thursday and that Clarkson didn’t need to get any tests done.
Clarkson is second on the team in scoring, averaging 15.6 points per game.
Bryant had missed two games because of his shoulder injury, but decided to play in Denver after six days of rest because it was his last time playing in that city.
With this being his last season, Bryant wants to play in every one of his last 20 games, especially the road games.
But he admitted his shoulder was “hurting” after the Denver game.
“It’s really, really achy,” Bryant said Wednesday night. “I’ve got a little bit of clicking in it and things like that. Just try to stay on top of it right now.”
Youthful backcourt
There have been recent signs that the Lakers may have a bright future with their young guards.
Rookie D’Angelo Russell, 20, and Clarkson, 23, are starting to develop chemistry on the court.
Even though Clarkson left in the third quarter Wednesday night because of his injury, he and Russell combined for 37 points against the Nuggets.
“I’m seeing progress there,” Bryant said after the game. “They’re looking pretty damned good right now.”
Clarkson has been solid all season and Russell has started to show signs of improvement since becoming a starter again six games ago.
“It’s not the individual stuff, because they all have individual talent to go off of,” Bryant said. “It’s not the issue. It’s just figuring out how to work well off of each other.”
Russell said he and Clarkson have been “clicking” in recent games.
“We try to grow every game,” Russell said after he scored 24 points at Denver. “We’re just reading off each other.”
It’ll take a big effort from Russell and all of the Lakers just to have a chance this weekend.
They host the Hawks and then the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors on Sunday.
“Teams probably feel like they are going to walk over us,” Russell said. “I feel like we can sneak some wins in there the last few games. We can sneak a few wins and surprise some people that are trying to underestimate us.”
NEXT UP
LAKERS VS. ATLANTA HAWKS
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m. PST.
Where: Staples Center.
On the air: TV: TWC SportsNet, TWC Deportes; Radio: 710, 1330.
Records: Lakers 12-50, Hawks 33-28.
Record vs. Hawks: 0-1.
Update: D’Angelo Russell has been making an impact since he was re-inserted into the starting lineup six games ago. The rookie point guard is averaging 21.8 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds during that span, while shooting 52.3% from the field and 55.3% from three-point range.
Twitter: @BA_Turner
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